Alka Joshi, author of the New York Times Bestseller, The Henna Artist, reflects on a body of work that feels like a personal tribute to her heritage. She opens up about the circumstances that led to her beloved trilogy and gives us a glimpse into what’s next for the author whose writing has become a love letter from India to the world.

A Life Reimagined:
At the heart of The Henna Artist lies a deeply personal question: what would Alka Joshi’s mother’s life have looked like, had she not gotten married at eighteen? She reflects on her relationship with her mother, with India in the 50s and 60s, and versions of her characters that never saw the light of day.

The Cultural Ambassador:
Alka was nine when she left India for America. For years, as she assimilated to life in the west, she kept one part of her identity quiet. Until she didn’t. India is front and center of her novels. Today, she stands as a cultural and historical ambassador for the country of her birth, and she's proud to show the world an India that's far more alive than the one a global audience usually gets to see.

Fragrance and Memories:
Alka talks about her third book in the trilogy, and why she chose to center it around perfumery. She takes us through a trip down memory lane, invoking memories through fragrances.

The Pivot:
A career in advertising. Then, full-time writing in her 60s. Alka reflects on this pivot, and how her age and experience aided the transition. And, how, if not for Reese Witherspoon, the book might not have seen global success.


Featured Clips in this episode:
1,000,000 Indians On The Move (1947)
Teesri Manzil Original Soundtrack by Saregama
Reese and Alka LIVE on @reesewitherspoon

 

Credits:

Host: Mallika Kapur

Mallika Kapur is an award-winning journalist and seasoned interviewer with over two decades of experience in television and live journalism. Across three countries and various impactful roles at CNN and Bloomberg, she has reported on major global events, including the London train bombings, the Indian Ocean tsunami and the Mumbai terror attacks. She also moderates news making panels at global forums, leading insightful conversations with the world’s top figures in business and culture.

Reach out on Instagram and LinkedIn

This is a Maed In India Production

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas
Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome
Sound Designer & Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni
Producer: Rachna Sukuru
Assistant Producers: Karan Solanki, Aditi Sutar
Sound Engineer: Nihar Temkar
Artwork: Alika Gupta

Alka Joshi, author of the New York Times Bestseller, The Henna Artist, reflects on a body of work that feels like a personal tribute to her heritage. She opens up about the circumstances that led to her beloved trilogy and gives us a glimpse into what&rsquo;s next for the author whose writing has become a love letter from India to the world.
A Life Reimagined: At the heart of The Henna Artist lies a deeply personal question: what would Alka Joshi&rsquo;s mother&rsquo;s life have looked like, had she not gotten married at eighteen? She reflects on her relationship with her mother, with India in the 50s and 60s, and versions of her characters that never saw the light of day.
The Cultural Ambassador: Alka was nine when she left India for America. For years, as she assimilated to life in the west, she kept one part of her identity quiet. Until she didn&rsquo;t. India is front and center of her novels. Today, she stands as a cultural and historical ambassador for the country of her birth, and she's proud to show the world an India that's far more alive than the one a global audience usually gets to see.
Fragrance and Memories: Alka talks about her third book in the trilogy, and why she chose to center it around perfumery. She takes us through a trip down memory lane, invoking memories through fragrances.
The Pivot: A career in advertising. Then, full-time writing in her 60s. Alka reflects on this pivot, and how her age and experience aided the transition. And, how, if not for Reese Witherspoon, the book might not have seen global success.
 Featured Clips in this episode: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ClIajkFSuc">1,000,000 Indians On The Move (1947)</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2rL9nmkDwo&amp;t=574s">Teesri Manzil Original Soundtrack by Saregama</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=996gpTxgHUU">Reese and Alka LIVE on @reesewitherspoon</a>
&nbsp;
Credits:
Host: <a href="https://mallikakapur.com/">Mallika Kapur</a>
Mallika Kapur is an award-winning journalist and seasoned interviewer with over two decades of experience in television and live journalism. Across three countries and various impactful roles at CNN and Bloomberg, she has reported on major global events, including the London train bombings, the Indian Ocean tsunami and the Mumbai terror attacks. She also moderates news making panels at global forums, leading insightful conversations with the world&rsquo;s top figures in business and culture.
Reach out on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mallika.kapur/?hl=en">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/mallika-kapur-a288b4131">LinkedIn</a>
This is a <a href="http://www.maedinindia.in">Maed In India</a> Production
Creative Director: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maemariyam/?hl=en">Mae Mariyam Thomas</a> Project Manager: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/sfanthome">Shaun Fanthome</a> Sound Designer &amp; Mix Engineer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kartik.kulkarni/?hl=en">Kartik Kulkarni</a> Producer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rachnasukuru">Rachna Sukuru</a> Assistant Producers: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hdudjdbskssjsb?igsh=MXN4c3QxenlvN2llYg%3D%3D&amp;utm_source=qr">Karan Solanki</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aditisutar_?igsh=eDMzeHE1eDYxczIx">Aditi Sutar</a> Sound Engineer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nihar_temkar?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw%3D%3D">Nihar Temkar</a> Artwork: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/capefoxalix/">Alika Gupta</a>

Hosted by journalist Mallika Kapur, The Next Edition dives headfirst into the glorious creative mess that lies behind every masterpiece.

We explore the discarded drafts, alternate endings and deleted scenes and reveal what writers, filmmakers, journalists, and artists are itching to add to the next edition of their iconic creations.

The most compelling chapter of a story might not be the one we know, but the one that’s yet to be told. 

Because a story is never truly done.

Hosted by journalist <a href="https://mallikakapur.com/">Mallika Kapur</a>, The Next Edition dives headfirst into the glorious creative mess that lies behind every masterpiece.
We explore the discarded drafts, alternate endings and deleted scenes and reveal what writers, filmmakers, journalists, and artists are itching to add to the next edition of their iconic creations.
The most compelling chapter of a story might not be the one we know, but the one that&rsquo;s yet to be told.&nbsp;
Because a story is never truly done.